Bottles



(No Model.)

T. OOOKGROFT.

METHOD OF PACKING BOTTLESQAND OTHER ARTICLES. 7 7

No. 258,379. Patented May 23, 1882.

UNITED STATES- Pnrnnr @rFIc THOMAS OOGKGROFT, OF BIRKENHEAD, COUNTY OF CHESTER, ENGLAND.

METHOD OF PACKING BOTTLES AND OTHER ARTICLES.-

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 258,379,:1ated May 23, 1882. Application filed April 14, 1882. (No model.) Patented in England November 20, 1879, No. 4,729.

To all whom it may concern Beit known that I, THOMAS OooKcRoFr, of Birkenhead, in the county of Chester, Kingdom of England, have invented certain Im- 5 provements in Methods of Packing Bottles and other Articles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a novel method of packing bottles and similar articles larger at one end than at the other; and it consists in forcing them between flexible partitions, in the manner hereinafter described, whereby the partitions are bent out of their normal shape and caused to exert a constant pressure upon 1 the vessels.

In order to explain more clearly the mode of carrying out the present invention, I have shown and will proceed to describe a packingcase constructed for that purpose, but would say that the case itself constitutes the subjectmatter of a separate application previously filed by me, and is not claimed herein. The form I prefer has one or more series of partitions running across it obliquely, every partition meeting its next neighbor at one end in a groove, so as to present a zig zag series of partitions, each groove, except the end ones, taking two partition ends. If there be a central cross-partition, the grooves are arranged alternately, so that the grooves on the opposite sides of the partition shall not come opposite each other. This arrangement not only avoids unnecessary weakening of the middle wall or partition, but also prevents the bottoms of hottles from being placed directly in line on opposite sides thereof, and causes both the bottles and the elastic partitionsto assist in supporting the central wall or partition. The partitions are thin laths, and when placed in position the bottles are inserted with their necks pointing to the apex of the compartment, and

the partitions are sprung out by the bottles,

each bottle occupying one compartment. Gonsequently each bottle aids in giving an elastic partition to keep the contiguous bottles tight. There can be numerous layers, a thin layer of wood separating the different layers of bott es.

The invention is best described by aid of the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan of box with the two adjoining laths fitting into the same groove in each case; Fig.2, atransverse section of the same, and Fig. 3 a modification in which each lath has a separate groove.

In these drawings, A are the sides of the box, which can be single, if desired, or double, as in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. In case it be double and grooved, the grooves are so arranged as to alternate on opposite sides of the central 6o partition, as shown. B and O are the top and bottom. E E are the laths or partitions between the bottles; F F. grooves, and G vertical cross-partition 5 H H, a few bottles shown in position.

In some cases it is not desirable to bring the two partitions so as to actually meet in the groove. In such case each partition has a groove for itself, and the obliquity of the partition is designed so as to follow a straight line nearest approaching the average contour of the bottle, but preferably cutting across some salient angle, so as to put a strain upon the partition. Fig. 3 shows a plan of this variation, and Fig. 2 will act as a sectional view to explain this also.

The bottles and other articles, H, are forced between the partitions E, with their large and small ends alternated, as shown, so that they bear upon opposite sides of the partitions at differents points, a and b, in the length thereof, and produce a double bond or filexure therein, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, thus causing a firm but elastic pressure upon each bottle or article, which effectually prevents their shakin g about, yet takes up the concussion or shock of rough handling of the case.

My English patent does not specifically claim the method of packing herein set forth, though designed to cover broadly a case by which said method may be carried out.

Havingthus described my invention, what I claim is-' 1. The herein-described method of packing bottles and other articles larger at one end than at the other, consistingv in forcing said articles between flexible partitions with the large and small ends alternated, substantially as set forth,whereby a double flexure is formed in the partition, as explained.

2. The herein-described method of packing bottles and other articles larger at one end than at the other, consisting in forcing a series of two or more of said articles between fiat 5 flexible partitions against opposite sides of such partitions at points on the said partitions not opposite to each other, thus producing a flexure and a retention of said partitionsin an abnormal form, whereby a double flexure is formed in the partitions, as explained.

THOMAS COGKGROFT. Witnesses:

WM. P. THOMPSON, I. 0. OBRIEN. 

